Lumber-sorter&#39;s toe-cap.



No. 756,198. 7 PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. R. P. ADAMS.

LUMBER SORTERS TOE GAP. APPLICATION mm mm. 14, 1903.

I0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES? Patented April 5, 1904. J

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT P. ADAMS, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO IRENE MOALLISTER AND WARREN ROSS, OEJAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

LUMBEFFSORTERS TOE-CAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,198, dated April 5, 1904.

Application filed February 14, 1903. Serial No. 143,341- (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT P. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Lumber-Sorters Toe-Cap, ofwhich the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The objects of my invention are to provide a metallic covering for the toe which will protect the foot-gear of persons engaged in handling and measuring large quantities of lumber, such as lumber-Sorters, and specially lumber in the rough, and to make the cap with a spur at the tip and a serrated upper surface, by means of which the user can easily engage the lumber, and to provide means for properly securing the cap in position upon the foot as against the strains of such usage.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a foot with my toe-cap secured thereon in the act of raising a board. Fig. 2. is a fullsized plan view of my toe-cap as shaped for the left foot and without the means for securing to the foot. I

Similar numerals refer to corresponding parts in both views.

The numeral 1 is the toe-cap, which is usually made of aluminium, brass, or some metal to which the snow and ice will not adhere. It is found that-these metals are sufficiently strong to endure the strains put upon the cap in such service. It is apparent, however, that a cap struck from sheet-steel by means of suitable dies would serve a good purpose. In such rough service as handling fresh-sawed lumber the cap should fit the toe of the shoe fairly well, and I usually make them rights and lefts in form. This diflerence in form will be easily seen and appreciated.

A spur or projection 2 is provided on the point of the toe-cap, which-I usually make wedge-shaped for ease in inserting beneath a board or in separating boards. The upper side 3 of spur 2 is usually made shorter than the under side, the slant being given to the under side, thus forming the spur, so that it more easily catches the edge of a board. Spur 2 should bemade strong, since upon this spur devolves a large share of the work. The edge of the sole 4 is usually projected somewhat because of the heavy wear from coming in contact with the rough boards. The major portion of the wear, however, comes upon the upper side of the cap. I therefore prefer to make it with a raised portion orrib up over the point of the toe, as at 5, and I notch.

or serrate rib 5, as at 6, in order that notches 6 may assist spur 2 in catching and holding the lumber. The curved sides 7 of the cap are covered with thin metal sufiicient to protect the foot-gear. is usually roughened, as at 8, in order that the wearer may retain his foothold. This is specially needful on high lumber piles.

Raised bosses 9 are provided on each side of the rear edge of the cap with slots 10 therein for attachingstraps 11. Straps 11 pass around the foot, resting just above the curve of the heel, as shown in Fig. 1, and are buckled, so as to hold the cap firmly in position. On account of the vertical strain in raising heavy boards with the cap a second strap 12 is provided, which passes around the foot vertically as compared with strap 11 and is attached to strap 11 to hold the straps in position.

When in use, the toe-cap may be attached to each foot if the user prefers; but most users use one toe-cap at a time and that one on the left foot, and they train their left foot to raise and handle the'boar'ds. The best way to use the toe-cap is to insert the point of spur 2 beneath the board 13 and raise up the edge, pushing the cap and foot beneath the board as it rises, bringing the board and foot into about the position shown in Fig. 1, in which position the board-rule may be easily and instantly applied, after which the board is pushed aside and a fresh board is brought The under side of the cap into position for measuring in like manner.

It is obvious that such rigorous use would quickly wear out a leather boot or shoe and that my metalcap serves an admirable purpointed prong extending out straight from the toe of said cap to engage lumber, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A metallic cap having a suitable form to fit the toe of a boot or shoe, means for securing said cap on the foot, a raised rib extending up the toe of the cap, serrations on said raised rib for engaging the lumber.

3. A cap having a suitable form to fit the toe of a boot or shoe, a wedge-shaped spur 2 on the toe .of said cap, a raised curved rib 5 extending up the front of said cap from said spur, serrations 6 on said rib for engaging lumber, and suitable means for securing said cap on the foot.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub- 3 scribing witnesses.

ROBERT P. ADAMS.

'Witnesses:

A. W. Karma, .8. ARTHUR BALDWIN. 

